“Lumpia” and “Gigil” are now officially in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), leading a group of 11 Filipino words added in its March 2025 update.
The latest OED update includes nearly 600 new words, phrases, and senses. Eleven of these reflect the unique Filipino use of English—confirming how Philippine English continues to evolve and gain international recognition.
The OED describes Philippine English as a distinct variety shaped by the country’s native languages, colonial history, and rich culture. English was introduced in the Philippines during the American occupation after the Philippine-American War in 1902. The Thomasites, American teachers who arrived on the ship USS Thomas, played a major role in teaching English across the islands. Over time, Filipinos made the language their own.
Filipino writer Gemino Abad captured this perfectly: “English is ours. We have colonized it too.”
Among the new entries in the dictionary are:
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Lumpia – “Any of various types of spring roll, typically consisting of a very thin pancake filled with minced meat, seafood, or vegetables, rolled into a cylinder (and sometimes deep-fried), and served with a dipping sauce.”
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Gigil – (noun) “An intense feeling caused by anger, eagerness, or the pleasure of seeing someone or something cute or adorable, typically physically manifested by the tight clenching of hands, gritting of the teeth, trembling of the body, or the pinching or squeezing of the person or thing causing this emotion.” (adjective) “Of a person: overwhelmed by an intense feeling caused by anger, eagerness, or the pleasure of seeing someone or something cute or adorable.”
Other full entries include:
- CR – “A toilet; a lavatory; cf. comfort room”
- Kababayan – “A fellow Filipino; one’s fellow Filipino. Also: a person from the same Philippine region or town as another; a small, sweet cake, similar to a muffin, typically yellow in colour and having the shape of a salakot.”
- Salakot – “A lightweight Filipino hat traditionally worn by farmers, with a domed or conical shape and wide brim.”
- Sando – “A sleeveless garment worn under or instead of a shirt; a vest.”
- Thomasite – “An American teacher in the Philippines during the American occupation (1899–1946), especially those who arrived in 1901 aboard the U.S. Army Transport Thomas.”
- Videoke – “A popular entertainment activity in which a person sings along to a backing track while reading lyrics on a screen; also refers to the equipment used.”
Three new Filipino meanings were added under existing English words:
- Load – “Credit purchased for a pay-as-you-go mobile phone.”
- Terror – “Of a teacher: strict, harsh, demanding.”
- Pinoy – (adjective) “Of, belonging to, or relating to the Philippines or Filipinos.”
These OED additions mark a celebration of Filipino identity in the global lexicon. They show how English in the Philippines has grown into a living, breathing language that reflects the everyday experiences of over 100 million people across over 7,000 islands.
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